Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

I TO HERCINA. Farewell verses, written in an album. When next the laburnums shall blossom, And flash out in yellow and green, And the cones of the broad-fronted chesnuts, Shall toss in their silvery sheen When the twilight shall come on Bodhyfrydd, And the grass shall grow hoar in the dew, I shall often sit down at my window, And think upon you. When the lights in the windows shall glisten, And the shadows flit over the blind, I shall always instinctively listen, For the voices of gladness behind And shall fancy I see you all seated, As in days that were happy and true, With all the bright faces, as usual, Turned full upon you. And when the moon looks through the gloaming, I shall list for the shouts that arose, When the well-pointed blow from a mallet, Announced the long game at its close. I shall miss from the lilies and roses, One sweeter and fairer to view, When I vainly look over the laurels, For glimpses of you. I shall sigh for the days of your pleasure, Ere the bloom on your beautiful face, And your gladness of heart without measure, To the shade of a sorrow gave place And the joy I littyk- had at Bodhyfryild, Though it vanish like dreams in the blue, Shall leave many fond recollections Entwined about you. Alas for the favors of fortune! And alas for the friendships of life! They are fleeting, or false, or for ever, With the peace of the sentient at strife It were better for some folks than parting, Whose torture is, Not to Forget! Left behind, to behold friends departing They never had met! January, lsoi). FITZ-ROBERT.

THE MAYOR OF WREXHAM. Scene Wrexham Town Council. Question in debate Shall we send to the Queen an address of congratu- lation on the marriage of Princess Louise ?—Mayor: No there is nothing like saving the money. Forgive me, Sir, I think there is I think it's better feed the poor, Cover a poor man's nakedness, Give charity from door to door. To teach mankind the ways of truth, Poor downcast grovelling souls to raise, To instil high principle in youth, And cheer an old man's short'ning days. To cultivate a manly mind, To speak the truth and never lie, To teach a man he was designed For something more than t'eat and die And lower: it is better be A loyal, fealty-giving man, Than a mean miser, wretchedly, To grab at all the gold you can And lower still, to try and know, When a calf's head your shoulders bear, What virtue 'tis to hold your tongue, Is more than money, Mr Mayor! In simple truth, it seems to me, Forgive me if I think amiss, To save your money shabbily, Is- about the dirtiest work there is. F.R.

t'dftSitiN .1^ f dljLIGaNGiii. a CIVIL WAR IN FRANCE. Anthentic returns have not yet been made of the re- sults of the municipal elections in France, but it is re- ported from Versailles that "Conservative Republicans" have been chosen by almost every constituency. Distur- bances occurred at Lyons and at Thiers but were quickly suppressed. Fort lssy is abandoned by the Federals, but up to last evening it had uot been occupied bv the regulars, as they were apprehensive of its being mined. Tha troops had, however, advanced to a village behind the fort, and had carried many of the houses by assault, the national guards who defended them retreating pre- cipitately into the city. The Versaillists' batteries kept up a hot fire all day on Monday upon the positions of the Federals on the west side of Paris. fhe latter are said to be losing ground in this direction, but no definite gain is claimed by the regulars. The latest scapegoat of the Commune-or rather of the executive committee—is the Minister of War, General Cluseret Only a few days ago he was virtually the dictator of Paris, but the failure of his measures to prevent the advance of the Versailles troops upon the city has afforded his enemies the oppor- tunity of having him removed from power. The executive committee issued an order for his arrest, but it has been cancelled by the Commune. His successor, General Rossell, was chief of his staff, and is an eminent engineer officer. Wednesday's news says the Versailles troops have not yet taken Fort Issy, but they have almost surrounded it by retaking the Chateau of lssy, and capturing the Ctamart railway station at the point of the bayonet. At the railway station they killed 300 Federals, and at the chateau they made 300 prisoners. As a set-off against the victories or the regulars south of the city, the Federals assert that the Versaillists have been repulsed with heavy loss in an attack upon Asnieres. The Com- mune has appointed a committee of public safety con- sisting of five members. In effecting the capture of the railway station at Clamart, on Monday night, the Government troops ex- acted a terrible retribution from the Federals. Though the village of Clamart had been in the hands of the military, the railway station had continued to be occu- pied by the insurgents. This station is a important position, because it completely dominates the Fort of Issy. A battalion of the Chasseurs of General Bertde's Brigade effected a surprise, and and managed to sur- round the station without a shot being tired. At that time the station was occupied by two battalions of National Guards and a company of Francs-tireurs. The Chasseurs rushed in with fixed bayonets. They gave no quarter, but bayonetted the insurgents mercilessly, leaving three hundred dead on the spot. The Chasseurs say they were exasperated at finding deserters from the Line serving as insurgents. On Tuesday afternoon, 400 prisoners, among whom were six officers, arrived at Versailles, in charge of a strong guard. Many of them alleged that they were forced to march, and that they were not in favour of the Commune. The soldiers of the 35th regiment, recognising some deserters in the number of the prisoners, wished at once to shoot them, but this was not allowed. The cannonading of Fort Issy is con- tinued. The most serious fighting reported in the latest tele- grams from Paris and Versailles took place at Saquet Mill, which was stormed by the regulars, who kiHed 150 of the federals and took 300 more prisoners, also cap- turing ten cannon. Fort Isiy was on Thursday still un- captured, but was so far surrounded that it was thought impossible for the garrison to escape.

TRAFFIC RECEIPTS. 1871. Gre?t Western ) ?85,374 Great Western ? 187U. West Midland. ? 17U. South Waleli. j £ 83,153 1871. London and North Western ) £ 138,777 Shrewsbury and Hereford > 1870. Shropshire Union £126,828 CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—(178 miles open)-Traffic for the week ending April 30, 1871. Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, X1348 Os Od mer- chandise, minerals, and cattle, 11399 Os Od total for the week, t2747 Os Od; aggregate from the 1st Jan., £ 44,184. Corresponding week last year (178 miles open) —Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, X1253 Os Od merchandise, minerals, and cattle, L1465 Os Od total for the week, £ 2718 Os Od; aggregate ditto,41,838.

Dr. Guthrie is expected to visit the United States during the coming autumn. The cholera is raging at St. Petersburg, and 100 to 120 persons are dying daily. So important a daily beverage as Tea, should be pro- cured perfectly pure. Horniman's packet tea is guaran- teed to strong, pure, and truly cheap. Local agents are advertised in our columns. The annual dinner of the Royal Academy took place on Saturday evening in London. There was a brilliant assemblage. The Duke of Cambridge spoke vigorously on the army question. Mr Gladstone, Mr Goschen, and other members of parliament were amongst the speakers. Sir William Jenner was examined before the Vaccina- tion Committee on Tuesday. No evil effects, had ever, he said, come under his notice; and, as the father of six children, he should consider himself wanting in his duty had he neglected to have them vaccinated. The man, William Cooper, the attendant who turned the hot water tap on a lunatic while giving him a bath in the Surrey Lunatic Asylum last month, and caused his death, was on Wednesday sentenced to one month's im- prisonment without hard labour. On Monday evening a dance and supper were given to the servants of the royal household at Osborne, in celebration of Prince Arthur's coming of age. The Queen, Priucess Beatrice, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, were present for some time in the dancing tent which was erected upon the lawn. By an accident which occurred at noon on Wednesday at the Orgreave Colliery, near Rotherham, two men, named respectively Alexander Renshaw, 29, and William Gee, 24, were killed. While the men were at work in one of the workings of the pit a large quantity of stone and bind, estimated to weigh over twelve tons, fell from the royf, completely burying them. A deputation from the Charitable Organisation Society waited on the Home Secretary on Saturday to express their satisfaction with the provisions of the new Licensing Bill, and to urge the necessity of reducing the number and limiting the hours of business of public houses. Archbishop Manning was amongst the speakers. Mr Bruce was sanguine as to bringing the bill to a suc- cessful issue this session, but he was not so bigoted to its provisions that he would not gladly receive suggestions for improvements. BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COM- FORTING. "By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocea, Mr Epps has pro- vided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." -civil Service Gazette. Made simply with boiling water or milk. Each packet is Libelled—JAMES EI-PS and Co., Homieopathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's Cacaoine, a very thin beverage for evening use. 1:39- HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT.—Sores, wounds, ulcerations, and other diseases of t" ,kin, arR capable of spe -dy amendment by this cooHn? and healing unguent, which Ins called orth rhe loudest praise from pers-ms who had suffered for years from bad legs, abscesses, and chr ■ NI- uloers, aftir evert- hope of curd had long p is-ed away. None of THOSE who have experience'! the soothing effect of this Ointment can form an idea of the comfoi t it bestow-, bv restraining intionvn ition and ailaying pain. WH'M^VER Holloway's O nt nent has be"n once used it has establish, d its own worth, and has ag in b"en eagerly sought for, as the easiest and safest remedy for all ulcerous complaints. In neuralgia, rheumatism, and gout, the same application, properly used, gives wonderful relief. <

I IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. l? l I HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. I It was agreed that no private bill should be read a I second time after the 15th Tune. The Local Government Supplemental Bill was read a third time and passed. I I HOUSE OF 'COMMONS.—FRIDAY. I Notices of motions adverse to the financial proposals of the Government were given by Mr W. H. Smith, Mr White, and Mr. W. M. Torrens. The Home Secretary, in reply to a question, again expressed his inability to name a day for the second reading of the Licensing Bill. When the measure is again brought before the House Mr Staveley Hill intends to remove its rejection. The Government sustained a decisive defeat in a division ou a motion by Mr Cowper Temple for securing for the recreation of the public the unenclosed portions of Epping forest. Both Mr Gladstone and the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke against the motion, pointing out that compliance with it was impossible, as the property belonged to the Crown. Mr V. Harcourt, however, con- tended that the property belonged to the public and not to the Crown, and the house, by 187 votes against j/U adopted the motion. The house was afterwards engaged for a long time in a discussion on the merits of the Martini-Henry rifle. I HO US 15 OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Trades Unions Bill and the Criminal Law Amend- ment Bill were read a second time without discussion. Some other bills were advanced a stage. The general business was unimportant. In reply to the Earl of Lauderdale, Earl Granville stated that he was unable to state what decision had been arrived at by the High Commissioners relative to the ownership of the island of San Juan, British Columbia. HO US 15 OF COMMOXS.—MONDAY. This evening the house was engaged for some time with a number of minor matters. In reply to Colonel Beresford, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that Messie Delarue and Co., had been engaged in preparing the match-box stamps for two mouths. The total cost would be under £ i0()0. THE BUDGET. THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF THE INCOME TAX. Un the motion for going into committee of ways and means, Mr W. H. Smith moved a resolution declaring that it was inexpedient that the income tax should be increased to the extent contemplated in the financial proposals of the Government. He protested against the proceeding by which it was proposed to raise the whole of the deficit for the ensuing year by means of the income tax, and stated that the task he had undertaken in bringing forward this question was rendered much lighter than it would otherwise have been by the fact that, so far as the feelings of the country had yet been ascertained, the general verdict, backed by almost every organ of public opinion was against the contemplated increase of the income tax. That tax, he contended, was never designed for an occasion like the present, and considering that the whole income of the country did not contribute towards it, lie denied that an expenditure of a thoroughly national character ought to be thrown upon one portion of the taxpayers alone. Mr Liddell seconded the resolution. Mr Pease opposed the motion and Lord Garlies supported it. Mr Osborne Morgan addressed the House as follows: Wnatever, sir, may be thought of the financial propo- sals of the Government 1 think every one will agree that some commiseration is due to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Hear, hear.) The Right Honourable Gentleman has had to bring in a panic budget without the assistance of a panic at a time when the spring tide of enthusiasm which carried us so gaily over the addition of 20,000 men to the army and £ 2,000,000 to the estimates has receded and left us stranded amid the shoals and quicksands of a reaction. (Hear, hear.) But that is not all. The right lion, gentleman had brought in three budgets. He had tried Everything by turns and nothing long," He has burnt his fingers with lucifer matches (A laugh.) He has invented a per centage which no human being has been able to reduce to any known coin of the realm and last but not least lie has braved the wrath of the pater-familias of this country by telling them that a man who bequeaths his property to his wife and children is entitled to no more consideration from the state than a man who leaves it to a stranger whom he has never seen, or to endow a hospital for the reception of sick dogs, or to a society for supplying flannel petticoats to the widows of Evangelical negroes—(loud laughter),—or to any other equally useful and philanthrophic purposes. And having done all this—having disported himself for three or four days amid the aerial regions of finance he has had to come down to the common ground and to fall back upon the income tax, that financial donkey which is always at hand, ready to bear any extra burden which we cannot dispose of in any other way. (Hear.) Now sir I can assure the hon. member for Westminster (Mr Smith), that I like that income tax as little as he does. Speaking not only for myself but for other pro- fessional men like myself, I can truly say that no tax hits us harder. This addition of 2d to the impost is therefore a very bitter pill to swallow, and it sticks in my throat as much as in that of thebon. gentleman oppo- site. But I ask what is to be done Aly hon. friend, the member for Oxford (Ir Harcourt) says, Take back your Estimates, take back your Army Bill as you have taken back your budget. Let us make a tabula rasa of the whole concern, and begin afresh from the beginning." Well, now, considering that we are at the first of May—just half through the session-and that we have not got into committee on a single Government bill, (except the University Tests Bill and that is not yet out of the wood), it is net a very encouraging pro- spect to be told that we are to flounder through another Army Bill and another set of estimates. No doubt it is never too late to mend, and if we have to retreat it is better to do so at once. But is there any real chance that the House whatever individual members, like myself, think—the House would reverse its decision ? (Hear, hear.) From the speech of the noble Lord who spoke last, one would think that we had passed the Army Bill and the estimates without a discussion. Why sir we have discussed nothing else. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) Talk of the long windedness of lawyers. Why the noble Lord, the member for Hadding- tonshire (Lord Elclio), spoke for two hours and a half on the purchase system alone. And I have no doubt he would do the same again. (Laughter.) I don't say he said a word too much, but to a non-military mind like mine it was somewhat of an infliction. (Renewed laughter.) And when you, sir, put the question that the Army Bill do pass, how many voices challenged your decision? Not one. How many members voted, as I did, for my honourable friend the member for Huddersfield's (Mr Leatham's) motion against the in- crease of the army estimates? I don't recollect the exact number, but it was under 100. Now, sir, I am not a thick and thin supporter of the Government. I have voted against them almost as often as I have voted for them, but I do say that the line taken by a large party in this House is not creditable to this House. (Loud cries of "hear, hear.") It is not generous—it is not just towards her Majesty's Government to throw upon them the entire blame of an expenditure to which the great majority of this House was, by its vote on that occasion, party and privy. (Cheers.) Talk of expendi- ture, indeed Why theyravamen. of the charge brought against her Majesty's Government until quite lately was that they did not spend money quite fast enough. I never took up a Conservative paper, or read the speech of a Conservative member to his constituents last autumn, without seeing an attack upon that cheese- paring Government" which, by its miserable parsi- mony and its contemptible economy, had reduced Eng- land to the rank of a fourth rate Power, and effaced her from the roll of nations. (Opposition cheers.) Really the effrontry of that cheer amazes me. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) Did you think, then, that men, and ships, and guns were to be had without paying for them ? The cheers I heard just now reminded me of a picture which used to amuse me when I was a boy in a work very popular then, Mr Pepy's Diary of the Manners and Customs of the English." It represented a scene with which we are all familiar. A white-bait dinner at Greenwich. On the one side was the dinner. There were the guests bawling for more champagne—shouting, singing, and speechifying. Then came the reverse of the picture. The waiter brought in his little bill," as r my right honourable friend h:ts just brought in his bill. The change which came over the company was remark- able Their faces were lengthened by several inches. Instead of "more claret, more champagne," it was, I did not order that extra bottle." I did not want that dish," and in the back ground was a little gentleman of whom my honourable friend the member for West- minster forcibly reminds me, who was trying to sneak out by a back door without paying his share of the entertainment. (Loud laughter.) Well, now, that is just how we stand. There is the bill. It must be paid. There is the gulph. It must be filled. How are you to fill it? You dare not tax the necessaries of life. (Hear, hear.) No Government dare put a new tax upon the articles on which the poor man lives, tea, sugar, and the like. It is idle even to diseiss it. It is all very well for my honourable friend the member for Brighton —(a member, which member ?)-the hon. and learned member (Mr Fawcett), I call him so for distinction sake, r and not from any wish to disparage the educational at- tainments of his colleague. (Much laughter.) About taxing the wage earning classes by putting duties on the articles which they consume. But I wonder whether my honourable friend dare go down to his con- stituents and tell them that he is in favour of putting a sixpenny duty on tea, and a threepenny duty on sugar, and I wonder what sort of a reception he would meet with if he did If he did, I don't believe that all his advocacy of woman's rights would save him from being torn to pieces by the fair hands of the ladies of Brighton. (Laughter.) Well at any rate till my honourable friend is Chancellor of the Exchequer, and we have a really democratic budget, I think we may dismiss the suggestion from our minds. Well then the increase of the legacy and succession duties being also out ot the question, what source of revenue remains ? An honourable member (Mr B. Osborne) suggested a tax on photographs, and reuommended the Chancellor of the Exchequer to utilize his motto ex luce lucellum in that way. Having been myself several times the victim of photography, I can only say that I should not object to the prohibitive tax on that diabolical art. (Laughter.) But I suspect after his experience in what I may call the fancy department of finance the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer will hardly care to repeat the experiment. Besides, I do not doubt but that, if he did, some one would discover that the making of photo- graphic chemicals constituted the staple industry of the east end of London, and we should have another procession, another row in Palace Yard, and another set of questions asked of the Home Secre- tary, and in the meantime the photographers of England who have so much in their power would exercise their ingenuity, and wreak their vengeance on the classical features of the right hon. gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Laughter.) Well, then the question resolves itself into one of two alternatives. Either you must get this deficiency out of the income tax or in the mode proposed by my hon. friend, the member for Fins- bury (Mr Torreus), by stopping the conversion of per- manent into terminable stock. Now into the general question whether the establishment of a sinking fund is a wise and sound measure, I am not going to enter. It is far beyond the compass of to-night's debate, but I quite admit that it is competent for Parliament, which created this scheme, to suspend its progress if a fitting occasion arises. Now, there is something very seductive in the idea of meeting your requirements, not out of your own pockets, but out of the pockets of posterity, in the year 18~>5, when these annuities will fall in, many of us sitting here will have escaped even from the clutches of the tax collector, let us hope to a plea- santer place even than the House of Commons, and it will matter very little then to us whether these annui- ties expire on the 1st of April or the 1st of October of that year. But in the very pleasantness of the plan con- sists its danger. Once begin to cut at that loaf and depend upon it you will come and cut again. (Hear, hear.) And I want to know what is there exceptional in the expenditure of this year which would justify us in having recourse to tWit last resort ? You say we nt 1600,000 for carrying out the scheme for the abolition of purchase. But next year we shall want 11,200,04)0 for the same p urpose, so that there will be a stronger reason for repeating the process then, to say nothing of the ?"Sd?Hcit of .?,UW,<X)U annually, which the HcrlJh\ kre"tl,em:m opposite (-? Disraeli) promises us. (A laugh.) We ;tt n°t at war we have not had a c?m- mercial crisis. P"? ?nt?ry, trade, I believe, was n?r.,? i Wasul Malwhester three weeks ago, ?nd ? ?he? n?t ? h. ? H f :;ince the beginning of the American war nrofitxh ,1 "ever been so ?rge o? wages so hIgh. Then van J ?ten? ???. '?? ? ?'"?? off of terminable -ui" ?t1i? et??? v when are you to abstain from doing so I Let ?'. ?" '-? "?'? ? ?tract from an article on this iubject in a paper which is ? hitrh ?"?\y? ?? "??- ?ean the  IT F• We ?s:Lted thee annuities in order to payoff oar Natiori?il Debt steadily and systematically. We .?e making thus a constant impression on its size. But if we on every slight increase of other expenditure choose to stop redeeming our debt, we had better abandon altogether the pretence of doing so. If debt is to be paid off, it can only be by devoting a certain sum annually to that object, and if we on every temptation confiscate the debt-paving" sum we are doing nothin- at all. There is necessarily a sacrifice in the case and that sacrifice is felt not only in years of marked financial prosperity like last year, but in years of financial want like this year. If we only diminish our lmlnhtles at our pinnacles of prosperity, we shall diminish them so little, that for ages the practical burden will remain altogether as it is. And upon this principle it is certain that this year is not one in which we ought to sus- pend the payment of debt. There is no coscly foreign wttr no ruinous collapse of English industry. There is only a moderate increase in our optional expenditure, and it would be reducing our debt-paying madllnery to pretence and "sham" if we suspended it at a time so easy, and on an occasion so slight. The best proof is the alternative. It is only proposed to raise the income tax to Od—a moderate rate—the rate it bore so lately as IStiS. It is an income tax of ten or fifteen pence in the pound that marks an extreme financial necessity." (Hear, hear). Anil let me add another argument against this i proposal. If you once begin to adopt it you will have a panic and a deficit every year of your lives. (Hear, hear). The honourable member for Waterford said the other evening that it was right that the wealthy classes should understand that if they were to have the luxury of periodical panics, they should be compelled to pay for them. But I think that was hardly a correct view Of the question. It is not the wealthy classes who bear the brunt of the income tax." It is the struggling pro- fessional man, clerks with families, small mercnants and tradesmen, men who have to keep up appearances, men who are trying to cover over the skeleton at poverty with the veil of respectability those are the persons on whom the income tax falls so hard. (Hear, hear). Hut are those the persons who get up panics Why, sir, every one who has studied the history of panics, knows that panic-niongering in this country is as much a trade— a business, as petition-mongcring or demonstration- mongering, or any other kind of mongering—(a laugh)— as much a trade or business as patriotism itself. (Oppo- sition cheers and laughter). But though the income tax-paying classes do not create panics, they are almost as much responsible for them as if they did. For they are the class which hold in their hands the direction and control of the public opinion of the country. If you doubt what I say, let me remillll you of the fact stated the other night by the honourable member for Brighton (Mr Fawcett), that Lord Russell put a stop to a panic in a few days by threatening to raise the income tax from sevetipence to a shilling. Now, I do say that if the middle classes of England choose to surrender the power of which I speak they allow themselves to be blown about by every breath of vain doctrine, whether it come from above or whether it come from below,—they are as little to be pitied when they come to feel the conse- quences, as the peace-loving and industrial masses of French people who are now reaping the bitter conse- quences of having allowed themselves to be hounded into a war by a small knot of noisy and interested agitators. And, sir, I will say this for the income tax, much as I dislike it, it has one redeeming and invaluable feature, Like the toad, ugly and venomous, It wears a precious jewel in its head," for it does bring home—if anything ever will bring home—to the minds of the most thoughtful and intelli- gent classes in this country—those classes upon whose demeanour depends the future greatness and happiness of England—the folly, as well as the wickedness, of a reckless and fruitless expenditure. (Cheers). Mr Stanstield then spoke on behalf of the Government, followed by Mr Ward Hunt and Mr Henry Richard, who deprecated the course taken by the Government m the financial propositions they had put before the house, but, at the same time, he refused to assist the Opposi- tion in destroying the present Administration, from which he hoped to obtain much highly useful legislation. The debate was continued by Mr Harmon, Sir John Lubbock, Mr Goldney, Mr Aytoun, Mr Gregory, Lord F. Cavendish, Mr Henley, and Mr Vernon Harcourt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the policy of the Government, and, in doing so, excused the pro- posed expenditure as necessitated by considerations ef public safety, the object being to place the armaments of the country in a thorough reliable state. Ha admitted that the Government did not regard the method in which they now proposed to raise the money as being the best they could adopt, and added that this was shown by the fact that they had previously suggested another plan. The Government had en(leavoured to obtain a portion of the required sum by indirect taxation, but they had failed in getting the assent of the house to that proposal, and they had been compelled to fall back upon the pro- position now before the house. He submitted that the Government could not go back from the proposal they had made, and, having pointed out that the house had already sanctioned the greater part of the contemplated expenditure, and stated that the Jovernment had offered the best provision they believed the circumstances of the case admitted of, he expressed an earnest hope that they would not now be allowed to fail. Air Baring taunted the Government with being omni- potent only for destruction, with being able to destroy a church, but unable to carry a budget. Their first pro- posal, he said, displayed either a lamentable want of in- genuity on the part of the Cabinet, or a desire to bring into ridicule everything in the shape of indirect taxation. He considered the conduct of the Government was de- serving of great blame. Mr Gladstone, in defending the Government against the attacks to which it had been subjected, asserted that what was now proposed to be done was precisely what the preceding Government did three years ago, and yet the Opposition had gathered together that night for the purpose of condemning in the present ministry that which they approved in their own case. He pointed out that the Government had effected large reductions in the national burdens, while they had proposed consider- able augmentations of expenditure. They had taken off six millions of public taxation. The house divided, when the numbers were- f"or the motion. 250 Against it .I. 335 I Majority for Government. 85 HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. I The Earl of Kimberley moved the second reading of the bill for the better protection of life and property in certain parts of Ireland. An animated discussion followed. The necessity for further repressive legisla- tion was admitted on all hands; and the only fear expressed was that the provisions of the bill were not stringent enough. Ultimately the bill was read a second time without a division. HOUsr OF CO'rDlONS.-TuEsDAT. I Mr Bruce, in answer to numerous enquiries, said it I was impossible at present to name a day for the con- I biueration of the Licensing Bill. He was prepared to consider carefully any suggestion made to him with regard to the bill.—MrSeely moved that the Postmaster- General should propose to the Postmaster-General of the United States that the letter postage between the two countries should be reduced to a penny. Mr Mon- sell said that so long as the present contracts existed it was impossible to reduce the rates further, and the internal rates of postage in the States were above a penny. He was, however, negotiating for a cheap money-order system with America, from which he hoped for great benefits. Mr White said that the Postoffice surplus ought to be applied to increase postal facilities instead of being added to the revenue. Mr Gladstone expressed his regret that they were tied by the contracts. He would move as an amendment that the Government should enter into communication with the Government of the United States with a view to reducing the rates of postage without undue charge upon the revenue. Ultimately the resolution was adopted.—Mr O'Reilly was proceeding to move a resolution to establish the principle of compulsory military service, when the house was counted out. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY I The sitting was almost entirely devoted to the discus- sion of Mr Jacob Bright's Women's Disabilities Bill of which he proposed the second reading. He spoke ably and eloquently in support of the bill, and was ably seconded by Mr Eastwick. Mr Bouverie opposed the bill as false in theory and dangerous in practice. Mr Gladstone, whilst admitting that our present law did less than justice to women, and greatly needed reform, was not prepared to vote for the bill. On a division the motion for the second reading was rejected by 220 votes against lol. The other business was unimportant. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. I The House sa.t for a short time this evening, but the I proceedings were without particular interest. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. I After a few minor notices and questions had been I disposed of, Mr M. Torrens moved that the income tax, proposed to be levied at the rate of sixpence in the ponnd be reduced to fivepence. He argued that the income tax would cast ah undue burthen on one class. He suggested the suspension of the payments on account of annuities as a substitute, to make up the deficit. Mr White seconded the amendment, and another discussion of interminable length ensued. The undesirableness of the tax was generally admitted, but its necessity was acknowledged by several speakers. The division was as follows :-For the amendment, 248 against, 294 majority for Government, 46.

ARTISTIC WATCHKS.—"A number of- new and artistic designs for the embellishment of watches HIVE been in- vented and exhibited by Mr J. W. Benson, of Ludgate Hill and Old Bond-street, London, Watch and Clock maker to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who has exerted him-elf with commendable success to provide, in this particular branch of manufacture, the union of taste and usefulness so striking in the productions of the French ar ifi,.f,rs. The recent progress in the art of watchmaking in England is owing to the enterprise and industry of several gentlemen, who are now reaping a just reward for their ingenuity. Amongst these Mr Benson holds a prominent position, and his designs may therefore be re- commended to the notice of the public."—" Daily Tele- graph." For Prices of Watches, Clo-ks, Jewellery, Chains, &c., see the Illustrated Pamphlets, which are sent post free for two stamps. 2107c SALt: OF RARE OLD COGSAC BRANDIES.—The continued unsettled state of F ance h:iF caused unusual commotion in the brandy market, and many foreign proprietors who had sent their stocks to England during the war have decided to realise upon them in this ■ ountry, in preference to incurrmg the risk which would attend their reshinment to France. Several large sales have been made and in most instances thev ar- remarkable for the high aualitLv OF the brandy ?for the immense quantities sold FF tran- s?ctton alone has been reconl"d of the ?de of n? ) W.OO .aUons.f Cogn.c brandy, of vintages rarely h?d of m this country—namely, 1827 WW TAIL ,? ?7" These nn. oldbran?i.swere' to havo been?d nn? ,iuc'ion, but previous to the date of sale w?re d??d °F# to Messrs. W. and A. Gilbey bypnvate ccoonnttrr^actT .—" Mora- in- Poot," April 29th. 0

I. MARKETb. WREXHAM.—THURSDAY. White wheat (per bushel of 7-dbs) 9s 3d to 9s 6d Red whltat (per bushel ol 7jibs). 8s 9d to us Od Barley Malting (bushel ot qts.) 68 Oil to 6s 3d Oats (per bushel uf Hilb.-). 4s 3tl to 4s 6d Butter (per lb. ot itox.). Is 2d to Is 4d Potatoes (per measuieof IMIbs).. 2s 6d to 3::1 3d Ditto Sets (per901bs). 2s Od to 3s 6d Ouious (per score) 3s 4d to 0" Ud Fowi (per couple) 3s bd to 4B Od Beef (per lb.) Us 8.?dto Us 9d Mutton (per Ib.) Us l"d to Os Ud Pork (per lb.) 0s 6d to Os 7d Veal (per lb.). Os 7d to !Js 8d Eggs 14 and 16 for a Shilling. MOLD. COR"-Wu(llles(lav The attendance was about the average, but the 1 rices were linn and showed an upward tendency. Wheat, 18s to I Us Ijel to 2"s per hubbet; barley 13s to Us per hobbet; oats, to. to lus (id. LLANGOLLEN. CORN.—Saturday Wheat, Hs !M to 9, 3d barley, 6s M to Gs 4d oats, 4s 3d to is Ou butter, Is 4d to Is 6d eggs, lti to U tor Is potatoes, 3s 6d to 4s 0d. RHYL. CORN'. -Tuei(lay To-lay we had a very small market, whiat being in very lew hand-. The prices of this day week were realised, ,iI:, for wheat 2 s., barley 14. to ■leans, 17s. to Ub., Allgl.-iLSY v,.ts, 8s. to 9s., Vale of Clwy(L do., His. A great improvement 111 the corn market is that the s'alls h ?ve Oedl taken by the buyers who attend the market, and who have had tneir names painted on t?tic itiarket, abld who liavl, iiali t LlU i r iizLLues I)ainted on tktir OSWKjSTIIY. .COR.'Z.-WedrLe,.i(lay SVh>;at, new, 7s 6d to 8s (id old, (), k'a to (I., kid burit.,y, -4 lid to is id ditto, grinding, ia Od to 0s Inl; oats, new, 4s ud to 4s tkt per bushel ot iolbs.; old, Us lid u Us; butter, Is (id to Is 7d per lb. Eggs, 12 for a shilling. ELLESMERE. CORN.—Tuesday Wheat, 0s Od to h fid barley, on UJ to bs 3d oats, b lid to 4s gd ducks, 08 Od to lis od per couple fowls, 3s na to 4s Od per couple; eggs, 16 At IS for is; butter, per iisii of 2-1"4., Is Sd to 1" Ud potatoes, 3s to 3s tid per measure. CHESTER. CORN.—Saturday To-day's market was well attended, but there was very little wheat off ring, a small business unly being done at a dec. me in value ot 3d per bushel. Odts, beans, and barley at e each scarce, and command full prices. Indian corn was fid per -180ik) dearer. New. Old. Wheat, white, per 751b 9s 3d to 9s 5!0s OltoOs 0cI Ditto, red (id to 8s 9i.()s 0d to 0s 04 Barley, malting, 38nts is 3d to is ri I. 0s Od to Os Ot, Ditto, grinding, 601b 4s od to 4s 6d.0s Od to Os M Oats, per -16Ib 3s 6d to 4s 6j.Us 0<.1. w 011 94 LIVERPOOL. CATTLE.—Monday Prices Best beasts, 8d to 9d; second ditto, 7d to Sd inferior ditto, id to 7d sheep, sd to lid. The stock on offer consisted of d,637 beasta and i,224 sheep and litaib,. The supp y of both sheep and cattle was slightly on the lncrea-e. The trade for both beef and mutton was llull, and prices rather in favour of buyers. CORN. —Tuesday During the week the wheat trade has ruled slow, and, buyers, holding aloof, prices have tended in their favour. Flour uull and unaltered. Beans scares and Is more money pai l. Maize steady. To-day's market was well attende-l, and a moderate extent of business transpired in wheat; red American sorts were Id dearer, whilst white descrip ions were slightly easier. Flour dull. Oats and oatmeal firm. Beans Is tid to 2s per quarter dearer. Indian corn in fair demand at 9d p.r quarter decline. Per Cental Per Imperial Qr. luuib. BEANS s. d. s. d. WHEAT: S. d. s. d. English 47 0 50 ? English, white o 0 0 () PKAS Per 4801b. new .11 10 .12 6 Canadian .42 0 42 < red 11 a. 11 0 INDIAN COUM Per 4801b. American 0 0.00American 34 9 .35 0 red 0 0 9 0 Indian corn Per 1961b. new .10 10 .11 8 meal .17 0 .19 OATS Per 45 lb. FLOUR Per 2801b. English 3 6 4 0 English 40 0 .42 ? Westport, new 3 i' 3 9 French 0 9. 0 39French 0 0. 0 0 BARLEY Per Imp. Qr. OATMEAL Per 2401b. English mltig. 0 0 0 t) Irish 0 0. 0 9 Foreign (601b) 0 0 0 0 new .29 6 .30 t Irish new 0 0. 0 0 fine cut .29 6 .30 • SHREWSBURY. CORN.—Saturday: White wheat, 9s 2d to 9s 4d pes bushel (751bs); red ditto, 8s lOd to 9s 2d; oats, 21s M to 22s 6d per sack of 11 score 101bs; peas, per sack 01 11 score lOlbs, Os Od to lis Od beans, 22s 3d to 23s Od per 12 score malt, 7s 9d to 8s 3d per imperial bushel; barley, malting, is 6d to 6s i d per 38 quarts; barley, grinding, pm 13se lOlbs, Os lid to Os Od. WOLVERHAMPTON. CoR,Wednesday To-day there was a moderate attendance. Wheat sold at late rates. No change in oats, peas, and beans. Trade was slow. CATTLE.-Wednes(iay: Beef, 7d to Sid; wether muttmv Sd to 9d; ewe ditto, TJid to 8jd veal, 6d to Bid; perket pigs, 10s Od to 10s bff bacon ditto, 9s 3d to 9s fd. o-day there was a large supply of stock at rather higtk prices. BIRMINGHAM. HAY AND STRAW.—Monday Old hay, LS 7s 6d to 1;7 Os 0a per ton new ditto, LO Os Od to JB0 Gs Od per ton; straw, 3s lid to 4s 2d per cwt. Swedes, Os to" I. er ton. CATTLE.-Tuesday; Beef, fid to 8]d per lb sheep iat wool, 9d to led; shorn, 8d to 9d; lamb, IOd to Is 5 veal, 6rid to 811; bacon pigs, 9s 9d to 9s 9d per score porket ditto, 9s 9d to 10s 3d. The number of beasts o* sale here to-day was large, and the demand was rather quiet. Prices declined a shade. Sheep also came to hand in fair numbers, the -tipply of foreign cattle and sheep now being increased on account of the removal restrictions oa importation. Lower rates ruled for sheep, but lambs stood, firm. Calves met an average inquiry at Thursday's quota- tions. Fat pigs sold slowly; porkets were readily dis- posed of. Coax. — Thursday English wheat shart supply, and nearly Is. dearer; also foreign. Barley firm. Oats and beans advanced 9d. Peas unaltered. Maixe no change. MANCHESTER. HAY AND STRAW.—Monday Hay, 7d to 9d ditto (new), Od to Od straw (wheat), 6tl to 7d; ditto (oat. ti.^d to 7d per stone. POTATOES. -Tuesday- Yorkshire, 7s Od to 19s Cd; Scotch, 6s Od to 8s Ud; Cheshire, 5s Od to 7s Od per load Onions, 34s to 44s per 2401b. Turnips, 12s Od to 209 Od per 16 pecks. Carrots, 12s to 14s od per 24olb. COR.-Thursday; We have again to report a languid trade during the week, but without any material alteratioa in prices. At Liverpool the arrivals from abroad have been tolerably good of wheat, more liberal of maize, only moder- ate of Hour, and scanty of other articles. Fair supplies of oats and oatmeal have come to hand from Ireland. At our market this morning English wheat was in better demand, and brought rather more money, while foreign nr«i be quoted fully as high. Flour met a slow sale, at barely last week's prices. Oats ruled fiiHI. Egyptian Beans were is. to 2s. per qr. dearer, and English rather higher. Indian. corn, no material change. LONDON. CORN.-Monday: M.rket llull. English and foreign wheat may be quoted Is lower. Town flour unaltered country and American marks Od cheaper. Barley firm. Oats tid cheaper on the week, in spite of the foreign de- mand. Maize and beans Is lower. Peas firm. Current Prices 0/ British. Grain in Mark Lan*. WHEAT. Per Qr. Essex, Kent, red. 518 to 08s Do. white 57s to 62s Norfolk, Lincoln red 51s to 38s BARLEY. .Malting 31s to 34s Distilling 35s to 39s Grinding 29s to 3ls MALT. Essex, Norfolk, & Suffolk 60s to 67s Kingston & Ware 60s to 67s Brown 49s to ios RYE. New 36s to 38s OATS. English, feed 25s to 28s potatoe 30s to 36s Scotch, feed -s to -s Scutch potatoe -8 to -s OATS. Per Qr. Irish black 21s to 26B „ white 25s to 2Sa BEAMS. Mazagan. 378 to 3Is Tick 37s to ata Harrow. 40,6 to 44s Pigeon 45s to 3«s rEAS. Grey 36s to 40s Maple 43s to 4to White 3is to 4fts Boilers 36s to 40s FLoua. Town made, per 2801bs 47s to 39s 280lbs Household t, -& Country 40s to 43a Norfolk & Suffolk ex-ship 3is to 39s COR-I. -Wednesday: The market was dull. English wheat neglected foreign rather cheaper. Town flour un- changed country and American rather in buyers' favour. Barley firm. Oats 3d lower. Maize, 6d cheaper. Beau and peas unchanged. CORN AVERAGES.—Weekly average price and quantity of British corn sold during the week ending April 29: Quantities Sold. Average Price. 1871. 1870. Wheat 77,067 59s 7d 42s 74 Barley 8,611; 36s 9d 33s Id Oats 2,950 2!îI 9d 21s 7d CORN.-Iomlay: The feature of the market is the general satisfaction expressed on all sides at the removal of the restrictions which have for some time preventi-d the arrival to this market ot a large number of foreign animal- l'he general tone consequent on a good demand and re- munerative prices is lively the demand is, however, more free for second quality, whether beef or mutton. The mutton trade for choice Downs is steady, at DrerioM figures. Foreign trade extremely active, at higher rates. Per slh to sink the otfal :-Inferior and ".oarse beasts -1 ?l to 'is ua; second quality do., 4s Od to 4s 6Q; prime larca oxen, 5s Od to 5s 4d prime Scots, &o., 5s 6d to 58 8i; coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 2d to 3s 6d second quality ditto, 38 8d to 4s 6d prime coarse-woolled sheep is od to 5s 8d prime Southdown ditto, 5s 10d to 6s Od large coarse calves, 3s 8d to 4s 4d; prime small ditto, 5s Hd to 3a 6d large hogs, 3s 6d to Is Od neat small porkers. 4a 6d to 5s 4d lamb, 6s 6d to 8s suckling calves, Os to gg and quarter-old store pigs, 20s to 26s each. Hops.-Ifonday: There was more inquiries for all de- scriptions at rather former prices. Mid and East Kent. £ 2 0 JE3 10 S70 Weald of Kents 2 0 2 16 1 Sussex 1 15 2 Farnham and Country 3 15 "I"" 4 15 5 12 Olds 1 « :? i ? ;— ? =. !?« WOOL.—Monday: To-day's auctions consisted of FW following lots: 3,037 Port Philip, 2 fiai n P%hi ^„>9 Adelaide, 1,028 Sydney, :nd Ml New Zealand    Current prices of Engli,h wool. Ffeeces Southdown    -4d; Kent fie!e, Is 1 d to 1" 2d Southdown ewes and wethers, Os lOd to Os fid u■ 3LeifcresSetLr %.ot,W?,4i Sorts: Clothing, U Od to 1s -ld; combing, (I I Id t,(, I ¿ per lb. Jissrsssr&j. market haa 8een TTI^ but inactive to-day, at 42s 6d on the spot, Us 9d to 43s June, and 44s 6d to 44s 9d October to December. METALS. From the "Mining J oumal. Bars, Walsh. in London 27 2 6 to 97 10 0 £ *iiRRodA8 ? 0 7 15 0 BBa?rs 8 2 6 9 2 S Hoops 8 15 9 9 5 0 Sheets, single 910 0 u 0 „ Pig, No 1, in Wales 315 0 4 5 a Refined metal, ditto 4 0 0 n. 5 00 Bars, common, ditto 6 5 0 « 7 4 Ditto, Railway, in Wales.. 6 0 0 6 5 n Ditto, Swedish in London 10 10 0 10 In ft Pig, No 1, Clyde 12 0 300